King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zavdai in the boat with the hired men and went after Yeshua.
Berean Standard Bible:
Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.
American Standard Version:
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} straightway{G2112} he called{G2564} them{G846}: and{G2532} they left{G863} their{G846} father{G3962} Zebedee{G2199} in{G1722} the ship{G4143} with{G3326} the hired servants{G3411}, and went{G565} after{G3694} him{G846}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 10:37
- He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Luke 14:26
- If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Mark 10:29
- And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
1 Kings 19:20
- And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and [then] I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?
2 Corinthians 5:16
- ¶ Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.
Matthew 4:21
- And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Matthew 4:22
- And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Mark 1:20
Mark 1:20 is a verse from the New Testament that captures a pivotal moment in the Gospel narrative: the calling of the first disciples by Jesus Christ. This verse specifically describes the immediate response of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to Jesus' call. The brothers are fishermen by trade, and at the time Jesus calls them, they are engaged in their work, mending their nets. The historical context of this event is set in the region of Galilee during the early ministry of Jesus, a period characterized by the beginnings of Jesus' preaching and the formation of his inner circle of followers.
The themes present in this verse include the themes of discipleship, the cost of following Jesus, and the urgency of responding to God's call. The word "straightway" or "immediately" in some translations, underscores the urgency and decisiveness with which the brothers respond to Jesus. Their leaving behind their father Zebedee, the family business, and the hired servants to follow Jesus illustrates the radical commitment required of Jesus' disciples. This act of leaving everything behind is emblematic of the sacrifices that early Christians would have understood as part of their faith journey.
In the broader context of the Gospel of Mark, this verse is part of the rapid-fire account of Jesus' early ministry, marked by his authoritative teaching, miraculous healings, and the gathering of those who will become his closest companions and eventual leaders in the early church. The calling of the disciples is a foundational event, signifying the start of Jesus' public ministry and the establishment of a new community centered around his teachings and person. The immediacy of the brothers' response also serves to highlight Jesus' charismatic authority and the compelling nature of his mission.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G2112
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εὐθέως
Transliteration: euthéōs
Pronunciation: yoo-theh'-oce
Description: adverb from εὐθύς; directly, i.e. at once or soon:--anon, as soon as, forthwith, immediately, shortly, straightway. - Strong's Number: G2564
There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καλέω
Transliteration: kaléō
Pronunciation: kal-eh'-o
Description: akin to the base of κελεύω; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)). - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G863
There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀφίημι
Transliteration: aphíēmi
Pronunciation: af-ee'-ay-mee
Description: from ἀπό and (to send; an intensive form of , to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow):--cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up. - Strong's Number: G3962
There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πατήρ
Transliteration: patḗr
Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent. - Strong's Number: G2199
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ζεβεδαῖος
Transliteration: Zebedaîos
Pronunciation: dzeb-ed-ah'-yos
Description: of Hebrew origin (compare זַבְדִּי); Zebedæus, an Israelite:--Zebedee. - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G4143
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πλοῖον
Transliteration: ploîon
Pronunciation: ploy'-on
Description: from πλέω; a sailer, i.e. vessel:--ship(-ing). - Strong's Number: G3326
There are 445 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μετά
Transliteration: metá
Pronunciation: met-ah'
Description: a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between ἀπό or ἐκ and εἰς or πρός; less intimate than ἐν and less close than σύν):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence. - Strong's Number: G3411
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μισθωτός
Transliteration: misthōtós
Pronunciation: mis-tho-tos'
Description: from μισθόω; a wage-worker (good or bad):--hired servant, hireling. - Strong's Number: G565
There are 2564 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπέρχομαι
Transliteration: apérchomai
Pronunciation: ap-erkh'-om-ahee
Description: from ἀπό and ἔρχομαι; to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or figuratively:--come, depart, go (aside, away, back, out, … ways), pass away, be past. - Strong's Number: G3694
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὀπίσω
Transliteration: opísō
Pronunciation: op-is'-o
Description: from the same as ὄπισθεν with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun):--after, back(-ward), (+ get) behind, + follow.